Amidst noise of a second generation Chromecast and a curious Roku IPO, Amazon delivers on spring Techcrunch intel with the Fire TV Stick ($39). Beyond the known Fire TV lineup, Amazon looks to extend screen mirroring support beyond Kindle tablets to capable Android devices. Of course, we’re still awaiting HBO GO and an updated Netflix app and it’s yet to be seen how Plex will run on this diminutive USB-powered HDMI stick. But, at $19, for Amazon Prime members during promotional launch pricing, why not?
It’s about time they gave prime customers a break on price. Apparently they learned something from the Fire Phone pricing.
Also interesting is how they’re handling voice. The bundled Stick remote isn’t exactly the same as the remote that ships with the Fire TV, it doesn’t include voice control and is slimmer. Voice control is still present, via Amazon or soon iOS app or via picking up the full fledged Fire TV remote. Considering how many probably use voice search on a regular basis, this seems like a reasonable approach to reduce expenses.
Pre-ordered two @ the promo price.
Glad my Chromecast was cheap (got the Netflix deal) – don’t really use it much compared to my Roku 3 box.
I also prefer a physical remote… Chromecast is more of a smartphone companion.
This would have been great about 15 months ago. Unfortunately I’ve already bought into the Google ecosystem, and with TiVo getting Prime this week it would only duplicate what I have now (or at least what I use now). I do like the idea of a remote with shuttle controls, but again my TiVo with DIAL support largely solves that problem for the 2 OTT apps I use most frequently (Netflix and YouTube). I can start playback from my phone, and control playback with the RF remote after that. Its the best of both worlds.
If this works with Hotel internet service make this a no brainier for anyone who travels for work.
Yes, it needs a mini-browser so it can sign in to hotel internet (which CC/Roku can’t do)
So… what’s the difference between this and the Fire TV? Does it have the same internals? Does it support the game pad? Is there any practical difference?
Don’t forget this runs a full-fledged Android distribution, so it runs XBMC natively. XBMC on the original FireTV is absolutely dreamy, snappy as heck.
@Glenn – Per Amazon.com – “Yes, optimized for Amazon Fire Game Controller, compatible with Nyko PlayPad Pro and other Bluetooth controllers.”
I wonder if this will work if plugged into the back of my Yamaha A/V receiver? My old TV (Panasonic monitor really) has only one HDMI port. All my devices (BD, Tivo, etc.) are plugged into the A/V receiver. I also wonder if it will work with 480P?
Glenn, as Robert said the game controller is supported. However, I doubt it has the same horsepower as the original Fire TV (and is dual core vs quad core, 1GB of memory vs 2). Will be interesting to see if Plex can transcode or requires the server/host to handle those duties.
@Joe @Bill in NC – per Amazon.com – “Coming soon—take Fire TV Stick with you to use with HDTVs in hotels, college dorms, airports, or anywhere with captive portal Internet access that requires entering a password or a log-in.”
That hotel piece will be huge… assuming the hotel lets you connect more than one device. On a recent trip, we were limited to three devices, which turned out to be two phones and a laptop – had to tether the Kindle to a phone. Also, it was free. Not every hotel is.
For 19 dollars I’m in just for the possibility of use in hotels.
I’m curious whether it would work with a cheap travel router or to a Mac/PC running as a hotspot with Plex (though I realize you could just run an HDMI cable in such a case).
Just ordered a second. Will unload my full-on Fire TV. Need to hang onto Chromecast for now given Slingplayer.
FYI this may require a power adapter even though it’s fed via a USB port. TBD. Hate clutter! But for $19, whatev.
“But for $19, whatev.”
Good god, people.
With cheap disposable purchases of items you’re never going to use, why not buy something more sensible like a Sexy Ebola Nurse Costume?
After I read that it would support hotels. I had to pick up a second. I will have to definitely unload my Amazon Fire TV now. It should cover the purchase of two sticks.
Yes, ebay will shortly be flooded with Fire TVs… including mine.
@Dave Zatz – any clue on the FCC ID?
Wonder what power requirements are if they say no-power-from-TV.
Re “the new” Netflix UI – I hope it never comes to Fire TV, as it is miserable experience with the small letters on image background and auto-play. Current FireTV Netflix already does the 2 new things that matter: it supports profiles and it can skip opening/ending credits, what else is there to want?
As Amazon does, they filled this under what appears to be a shell company. This time going with “Enda Gormley Sile.” The FCC ID is 2ABDU-0509 and was submitted for 2412, 2402, 5180, and 5745 with a model number of W87CUN.
Here’s one listing:
https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/eas/reports/ViewExhibitReport.cfm?mode=Exhibits&RequestTimeout=500&calledFromFrame=N&application_id=661404&fcc_id=2ABDU-0509
Enda Gormley Sile was a damn good band. I saw them live, back when they were still cool.
(I want the job of picking Amazon shell company names. Someone has that job, and I’ll do it better for 10% less.)
Great sleuthing job, @Dave!
Wow. “UL Verification Services Inc. (formerly UL CCS)” of Fremont, CA grants equipment authorization on 10/27, with date of application 10/27 and 0 correspondence. How is this even legal? Quite obviously they withheld dating the submission till approval. Even letters are not dated. Seems if you need crooked certifier to doctor an FCC app, UL CSS is the way to go :-/
Darn! Its limited to one order per account now.
I should have placed my order yesterday. Just placed it now and it’s showing a December 24th estimated delivery date.
Does this have .ac or .n. I see MIMO and dual band, but nothing about the certification. I pre-ordered mine and it said Dec 24th delivery. Ouch.
For reference, my first order has delivery targeted for 11/19, but the second lists 12/16.
Bunk, on the specs area of the page it lists n not ac.
EnTerr, The sleuthing’s only good if I get it before they announce. ;) Whatever strategery they’re using, it seems partially pulled from Apple’s playbook – the last few Amazon announcements and filings have arrived together on the same day, as Apple does, which limits our ability to out them. I give thanks for Fitbit and their sloppy Charge, Surge product launch.
Ugh. Didn’t think to check the shipment dates. I must have got in pretty late. Dec. 19th. Have another family member on Prime, ordered a second through that. Dec. 23rd. Hopefully they ramp up production and those dates bump up a bit.
Just order mine – scheduled to be delivered on Dec. 24.
I wonder how long it will take for hotels to figure out how to block web access for these devices.
Man. I just picked up three Chromecasts in the last couple of weeks. I already had a launch FireTv but the $19 price for the FireTv stick was too good to pass up. So I ordered two of them. But I guess i was a little late yesterday since the expected delivery is December 5th. But that is still better than people that order now. Their expected delivery is in 2015.